'Monster Green' fluorescent protein vector contains a synthetic gene based on the native gene originally cloned from the great star coral
A new mammalian expression vector containing the open reading frame for a brighter and less cytotoxic GFP is now available from Promega.
The Monster Green fluorescent protein phMGFP vector contains a synthetic gene (coding for a 26kDa protein) based on the native gene originally cloned from the great star coral (Montrastrea cavernosa).
Modifications to the gene have overcome the natural tendency for photobleaching, while improving the fluorescence signal.
The gene has been codon-optimised and cleared of most consensus sequence transcription sites to ensure reliability and high levels of expression.
As a result of the codon optimisation, the protein has reduced cytotoxicity.
This minimises cellular perturbations and provides flexibility to work with both transient and stable expression assays.
Monster Green fluorescent protein offers a fluorescence signal at least 20% brighter than other commercially available GFPs.
This enables the vector to be used to help visualise low level expression in situ using fluorescence microscopy or FACS.
In addition, the brighter signal enhances localisation and trafficking studies when working with GFP fusion proteins.
The CMV enhancer/promoter region present in the vector allows strong, constitutive expression in many cell types.
In addition, a chimaeric intron has been included to increase gene expression and an SV40 late polyadenylation signal enhances RNA stability and translation efficiency.
